In one of Asimov's oldest and most beloved plays, "Nightfall", the theme of man's inability to change future independent of free will is quite clear. Asimov rejects the age-old adage that “those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it.” Instead, it strikes a general tone that even those who know history are doomed to repeat it, as evidenced by the events and people of Lagash. There is no doubt that the people of Lagash have free will, demonstrated by their actions. The characters' reactions to different events prove this. Additionally, the characters act in different ways. Take for example the beginning of the story, when the main character, Theremon 762, convinces the director of Saro University, Aton 77, to allow him to stay and report on the events to come. Aton slowly changes his mind as their discussion progresses. “'You can go,' [Aton 77] called over his shoulder. » Later: “Since your good friend Beenay insists so urgently, I will give you five minutes. Speak. » And shortly after: “'You can stay if you want, then'” (Asimov, “Nightfall” 379-381). If a deity or fate controlled Aten, Theremon would not have needed to convince Aten in a lengthy debate to let him stay. Other evidence also mentions free will; Sharp conflicts of belief are evident between the two different groups, the scientists and the cultists. Cultists believe in a mysticism based on faith and the accuracy of their books of faith. Scientists believe only in pure research and treat cultists as illogical mystics (Kerschen 224). This also highlights free will by showing the diversity of opinions on Lagash. If Asimov wanted his characters to have no free will, he surely would have given... middle of paper ......nts. Internet. March 15, 2010. .LaBounty, David. “The Origins of Inspiration: Winwood Reade’s Role in Founding Isaac Asimov’s Psychohistory.” Extrapolation 39.4 (1998): 364. Documentary Resource Center. Internet. February 26, 2010. Moore, Maxine. “Asimov, Calvin and Moses.” Voices for the Future: Essays on Major Science Fiction Writers. Ed. Thomas D. Clarence. Np: Popular, 1976. 88-103. Contemporary literary criticism. Internet. March 4, 2010. .Suvin, Darko. “Three global paradigms in SF: Asimov, Yefremov, Lem.” Pacific Quarterly Moana IV.3 (1979): 271-83. Contemporary literary criticism. Internet. March 4, 2010. .Wilson, Raymond J. “Asimov's Mystery Story Structure.” » Extrapolation 19.2 (1978): 101-07. Contemporary literary criticism. Internet. March 4. 2010.